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Esoteric DV-50: Any cdp's Significantly better?

Is there are anyone out there who has compared the Esoteric DV-50 to a number of dedicated red book only players (or other universal's) and found one that is SIGNIFICANTLY better?

I stress significantly because in my humble opinion the redbook playback (if comparison unit is just a cd cd player only )must be significantly better to justify losing DVD-A, SACD and DVD-Video capability.

I keep hearing there are better one box solutions and being a die hard 2 channel fan I would sell my DV-50 if I found a player in the same price range that sounds significantly better. But every time I do an AB comparision to other well respected units the DV-50 has slayed each and every one.

So far, it has eaten the lunch of the Classe CDP-10, Ayre CX-7, Linn Ikemi, Cairn Fog Vers. 2, Cary 306/300, Arcam DV 27A and CD 33T, Myryad CD 600, etc. It even betters a Sony SCD 777ES/MF Tri-Vista 21 transport/dac combo that I previously owned. I'm only comparing the DV-50 to single box cd or universal players, but I just wanted to mention the Sony/MF combo. I'm sure there are some dac/transport combo's that will handily beat the DV 50.

Some may say that the DV 50 should beat all the above because the of price point ($5,500 vs. average price of $3,000 for the above players). But I disagree since conventional wisdom says that stand alone players (especially with the pedigree of those mentioned above) should produce better redbook than a universal player trying to be a jack of all trades. Only the DV 27A does video plus audio. By the way, I was very impressed with the 27A as just a cd player. Of all the above I would say the Ayre was the best.

Next on my list is the Electrocompaniet EMC 1UP and the Resolution Audio Opus 21. However, I must tell you I am really impressed with the DV 50 and all the great reviews are absolutely true. I've noticed that many people who are using it or comparing to other players are using the RCA analog outs instead of the balanced outs. There is a significant improvement in sound if you use the balanced outs and I'm only interested in hearing comments from people who have compared it against other players using the balanced outs on the DV-50.

My system components are as follows:

B&W N803's speakers & HTM-1 center
Cary Cinema 5 (5 x 200) amp
Anthem D1 Statement pre/pro
Esoteric DV 50
Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun speaker wire
Nirvana SX balanced interconnects from DV-50 to Anthem
Acoustic Zen Matrix reference II interconnects from D1 to Cary
No after market power cords or isolation equipment

My system sounds great! Those who comment please make sure to specify what specific improvements you heard over the DV 50 and what cdp were you comparing it against.

AVGURU
avguru

Showing 6 responses by jfz

jfz
570 posts
 
Aplhifi: I would very much appreciate your feedback on the Audio Desk Systeme. The vibration from my 2900 is significant sometimes. At first I thought it only a problem with SACDs (why would that be?), but then found a few Redbook CDs also created enough noise to be annoying. I thought what I was hearing was motor noise, but I think vibration is probably what it is.

Thanks!
John
jfz
570 posts
 
Thanks Alex, but I wasn't looking for a retailer. I'm looking for specific feedback, as you mentioned you would provide in your post to Springbok10 on 12/28 - including feedback with regard to decreasing vibration AND the resulting noise from the 2900. I will appreciate any feedback you can give me after you've had sufficient time using yours.
jfz
570 posts
 
Thanks Alex
jfz
570 posts
 
I am disturbed by the recent rancor on this thread. I assume we all have the same overriding purpose: to get the best sound we can for our money. I do realize that there are a few posters whose livelihood is potentially affected by what is said here. Nonetheless, the anger and personal nature of some of the posts here surprises and saddens me.
jfz
570 posts
 
Reading Ehfm's post of 2/8 about different warm-up times, I'm curious about what controls were in place for the comparisions. Seems to me the fewer things controlled for, the less meaningful/accurate any diffences you noted would be. Did the group control for level? Why not for warm-up? Were only certain other things plugged in as a control? Did people stand in different places in the room for different players? I'm honestly curious. I don't mean to disparage anyone.
jfz
570 posts
 
Seems strange Alex didn't send a unit to Tbg, so we'd have another head to head opinion of two players - in a single system over a somewhat extended period of time. If Alex was "supposed to" send one (whatever "supposed to" means, and I realize I'm the one initiating that phrase, not Tbg,i.e. I don't know what transpired between them), it seems a shame and I wonder why. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm on the "side" of those who are a bit skeptical of "shootout" results, primarily because (from everything I've read here), it seems variables were not controlled very well - but also because long term listening and satisfaction mean a lot to me. I think it's a wonderful thing that we have "smilin", because he's heard so many of these units in his own system over considerable time (and they were broken in). I wish there were more of us who were able to do that and report, however.
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